We can look at ways at improving the game by altering the cap etc, but they are not going to happen.

The only way certain players are going to improve is if they test themselves at the next level up which is the NRL.

I do not for 1 minute think every good British player should go to the NRL but i think the forwards in particular can benefit from playing at a higher intensity.

England in my opinion need to add some real metal to the pack, in the short term, and the only way that is going to happen is by players like Ellis and Burgess to the NRL, would also like Westwood, Crabtree and Locky to have had a spell over there.

Long term we need to improve the standard of our comp, but if we want to compete at the next World Cup then we have to look at short term fixes sadly.

But that's at the expense of our own competition, which I cant't agree with. We need all the good players we can get. As it is, any bright star who emerges in the three-quarters will go to Rugby Union. And now we want to send our best forwards away as well? For me, the end result of being able to compete with Australia - which is only guaranteed to happen if we send ALL our international squad over there - does not justify such a drastic reduction in the quality of our domestic game.

I disagree as i think we need to concentrate on our own style of play in the backs, because quite frankly we will never compete with them in this department.

Its like reducing the quota, that is and will clearly harm our competition regards the standards but in needs to be done if we are ever going to get an acceptable pool of players from which to select.

Long term i agree 100% we have to work towards strengthening our own competition, but as a short term measure with all the restrictions that currently exist it is a quick fix and ensuring our players are prepared for the intensity the Aussies and Kiwis play.

We are constantly caught cold from the kick off against them as we have no idea how to deal with them till we get into the pace of the game, by which time it is usually too late.

To improve the game long term a rule brought in that players brought through your system didn't count fully on the salary cap would help a great deal and would increase the player pool we'd have to choose from massively.

That would take a few years to fully take effect though so in the meantime I see no problem with a few players going testing themselves in the NRL. It's the best league in the world by miles and would serve to give some of our lads the belief that they can compete at the top level.

Long term though we have to improve our own compatition and stop letting the 'have nots' make the rules.

Agree it is a long term project to get the Standard of SL up to anywhere near the NRl and while we put systems in place to do this which i think we are trying to do, players like Graham etc will never realise there potential as they simply cannot be tested like they would be in the NRL week in week out.

I think a few people are going a little OTT about this.

I just want to see Graham go to the NRL because I’d love to see how he goes over there that’s all. It’s a far better & harder comp and I’d like to see if the top prop in SL can hack it over there as I think he could.

That's all. Hardly a controversial post or the death of RL

Personally, I think its a fantastic idea for the best players from all the other SL clubs to spend several seasons in the NRL.

I didn't say it was the death of RL. But I'd rather see him doing it over here than hear about him doing it over there.

It's not a small thing, though. If just Graham goes, fine - he'll be a better player, Saints will get some much-needed cash and whichever Aussie club signs him will have yet another star with which to lighten up their competition. But it won't significantly improve England's international chances. To do that, you'd need to send ALL of our top players over there, and then all of a sudden you're looking at something that could indeed damage our domestic game because we've got few enough stars as it is.

Idiot alert

Morley has been fantastic at Warrington and has worked his nuts off week after week and earnt an extra two years on his contract. And in case you have forgotten he did get to lift the Challenge Cup this year.

Perhaps he should of not bothered and took his career to another level like Stuart Fielden did in chasing the money at Wigan rather than challenging himself at the top level of the game in the NRL.

Perhaps you should stop being an offensive gimp and realise that Cruncher was only trying to make a point that his best years were played in the NRL, you're very foolish if you think that's not the case.

Both excellent points.

It is pointless sending individuals to play in the NRL. To beat Australia SL needs to be played at the same level on a weekly basis. See NZ as an example, by the NZ eligible individuals playing at the same intensity as the Australian players, collectively they are the better team.

I don't know what the answer is, but placing the problem squarely on the SC is naive to say the least.

Naive, but extremely easy

So whats the answer, an English team in the NRL?

There always seems to be some Warrington fan floating around on here, ready to come charging in if he thinks his club is in any way being disrespected. I'm not quite sure what he expects, this being a Wigan forum.

But you're right SEB, it may surprise the average Warrington fan but there are more important issues here than whatever happens to be going on down at their sardine tin stadium.

As I have said, I don't know the answer. I do have a theory that we copy the NRL techniques, whilst not evolving our own, specifically looking to other sports. See how Nathan Brown dragged Huddersfield a fair few places forward, I would wager some SL coaches will copy elements of what he has done, but, undoubtedly, these techniques will be outdated in the forthcoming NRL season.

I guess it all comes down to us all wanting instant success at club level, rather than evolving the game as a whole.

Have been saying this for quite some time.

So from the Shaun Wane interview, on the official website, where he states we are going with the same squad as last season, can we presume Phil Bailey has signed a contract?

Wane said he had on the radio interview of a few weeks back yet there has been no official conformation one way or the other.

Dave

The interview is from a month ago anyway and has just been re-posted on the official site so things may have changed from then.

Ian Lenagan has said we may have room for one or two experienced players if the right ones become available but he said it was an outside chance we'd bring anybody in before the start of next season.

well the james graham rumour is quashed now for anyone who was building their hopes up

Quote ="jameswk"well the james graham rumour is quashed now for anyone who was building their hopes up'" www.teletext.co.uk/rugbyleague/n ... +move.aspx It would seem so. Unless Saints are looking to do business and Wigan are planning on freeing up a hugh chunk of cap from somewhere

Quote ="jameswk"well the james graham rumour is quashed now for anyone who was building their hopes up'" www.teletext.co.uk/rugbyleague/n ... +move.aspx It would seem so. Unless Saints are looking to do business and Wigan are planning on freeing up a hugh chunk of cap from somewhere

The quote is a bit ambiguous.
"As far as I know I'm at Saints next year".
Sounds like he's not sure of what's going on or whether he's staying or not.
I can't imagine any club allowing Graham to leave unless they had to for financial or domestic reasons. He's a player any club would want.
The "As far as I know" isn't a definate "I'm staying here".
Somethings sounds not quite right about that statement.
Are Saints struggling for cash? Are there off field problems?
Those could be the only reasons surely for Graham rumours getting around.

I also got that impression.

Still think he'll be at St Helens next season though.

Maybe he's got his eyes on Fieldens whopping wage for 2011........we couldn't do much better for a replacment.